Intenstinal Parasitic Infections in Primary School in Pulau Panggang and Pulau Pramuka, Kepulauan Seribu

Abstract

Stool samples were collected and examined for soil-transmitted helminthic and protozoal infection in the first grade of three primary schools, located on Pulau Panggang and Pulau Pramuka, which are parts of a group of islands not far from the north coast of Jakarta. The stool examinations were part of activities during a control program on soil-transmitted helminthic infections. The schools have never participated with control programs on soil-transmitted helminthiases. For the examination of the samples a semi-quantitative Kato thick smear method was used and the direct smear with a 2% iodine solution. Four intestinal helminth species and five protozoa species were found in a total of 101 stool samples. Ascaris and Trichuris infections were found in 68.8% or more. Hookworm infection was only found in one school (2.9%). Eggs of Hymenolepis nana were detected in one sample. Cysts of Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba coli were both found in 5.0% of the samples, whereas Endolimax nana was recovered from 2.0% of the samples. High prevalence rates were detected for Blastocystis hominis (36.0%) and for Giardia lamblia it was 30.0%. Most of the Ascaris infections were categorized as light infections at School I (69.0%) and not a single heavy infection were found in this school. In School II and III most of the infections were moderate i.e. respectively 51.4 and 81.8%. Also in Schools II and III heavy infections were detected, respectively 11.4 and 5.8%. Fertilized Ascaris eggs were detected in 93.1%, 100% and 95.5% at School I, II and III respectively. As a whole among 86 positive samples 96.5% were recorded as samples with fertilized eggs, whereas 3.5% contained unfertilized eggs. The high prevalences of Ascaris and Trichuris infections in this area could be expected due to the low level of environmental hygiene and sanitation. Among the protozoal infections B. hominis and G. lamblia were the dominant species.